The security at the ITC Green Centre for Hillary Clinton’s visit on Sunday morning was enough to drive every invitee up the wall.
The security at the ITC Green Centre for Hillary Clinton’s visit on Sunday morning was enough to drive every invitee up the wall. Not only were people herded in hours before her scheduled arrival, but no one could leave the building till she finished her programme.
So while Clinton gave a television interview, the rest of the guests, including Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, waited. Ramesh could have gone, but courtesy demanded that he saw off the visiting dignitary.
Two familiar faces greeted Clinton while taking a tour of the Green Centre: a photograph of her husband Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea. The project is funded by USAID and was announced during then US president Bill Clinton’s visit to India in March 2000.
Praising India for promoting renewable energy, Clinton said the green building is a “monument of the future” and an example of growing Indo-US cooperation in the field
of climate change and clean energy.
The office complex, designed to use as much natural light as possible, has been awarded the highest platinum rating by the US Green Building Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design programme.
Addressing a joint conference with Clinton, again reiterated India’s refusal to accept any “legally binding” reductions on emissions and promised that New Delhi’s carbon footprint would never exceed that of developed nations.
Aware of the opposition in India to compulsory capping of emissions, Clinton had some soothing words for her listeners. “The US does not and will not do anything that will limit India’s economic progress. We believe that economic progress in India is in everyone’s interest, and not just in the interest of Indians,” she said.
Clinton went out of her way to say she understood India’s constraint even as she urged New Delhi to act. At the climate change conference, she was accompanied by US special envoy on climate change Todd Stern, US ambassador-designate to India Timothy J Roemer and senior US embassy officials.
“To lift people out of poverty and to give every child born in India a chance to live up to his or her given potential is a goal that we share with you,” she said. “But we also believe that there is a way to eradicate poverty and develop sustainably that will lower significantly the carbon footprint of the energy that is produced and consumed to fuel that growth,” she added, acknowledging the US’s responsibility as the biggest emitter of greenhouse gas.”
During talks with foreign minister SM Krishna, climate change and emission norms will come up for further detailed discussion.
Meanwhile, Clinton on Sunday was all charm — relaxed and appeared happy to be in India. Wearing a turquoise suit, she was ready to take on every question thrown at her.
A far cry from the cold image often projected by the media, Clinton’s warmth came through in her interactions here. Four girls dressed as brides from different states greeted her. A garland of rare orchids was presented, and Ramesh gave her a bouquet. Among other guests at the Green Centre was hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, a known friend of the Clintons.
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